Definition of Diversity:
Diversity is "otherwise," or those human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups. It is important to distinguish between the primary and secondary dimensions of diversity. Primary dimensions are the following: age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race and sexual orientation. Secondary dimensions of diversity are those that can be changed, and include, but not limited to: educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, and work experience.
Awareness:
  1. Developing an awareness for all employees of a district to be aware and to understand that there are many facets to diversity.
  2. Employee Awareness: being aware of their own biases and their school district community
    • Self-awareness survey: multicultural pavilion website
      • Recognize and deal with their own biases. Next step would be to provide professional development district wide.
      • Awareness of student population, cultural experiences
        • Analyzing achievement data by subgroups
        • Analyzing social well being by subgroups (student perception surveys)
          • Looking at school climate and culture
          • Acceptance in school
        • Analyzing attendance and graduation rate
    • Awareness of student population
      • Recognize and deal with their biases. Next step to address the biases through activities, assemblies and other resources